ECARX Cements Lotus Tech Alliance with $23 Million Strategic Investment

LONDON, Dec. 29, 2025 – In a move set to accelerate the integration of advanced technology in the luxury electric vehicle market, global mobility tech provider ECARX has announced a US$23 million strategic investment in Lotus Technology. The deal, formalized through a share subscription agreement on December 23, deepens an already established collaboration and signals a powerful alignment in the race to define the future of the intelligent, software-defined vehicle.

This investment solidifies the bond between two key players in the rapidly evolving automotive landscape. ECARX, a provider of full-stack computing solutions for smart cars, will subscribe to nearly 16.8 million new ordinary shares of Lotus Tech at a price of US$1.37 per share. The transaction underscores a long-term commitment from ECARX, as the newly issued shares will be subject to a six-month lock-up period. The move is more than a financial transaction; it represents a strategic fusion of hardware and software expertise with iconic automotive design and performance engineering.

Deepening a Strategic Alliance

The US$23 million private placement is designed to transform the existing relationship from a supplier-client dynamic into a deeply integrated, strategic global partnership. Both companies are now poised to intensify their joint efforts, with an initial focus on deploying ECARX's cutting-edge computing and software platforms across the entire Lotus vehicle lineup worldwide.

This collaboration builds upon a strong existing foundation. Mr. Ziyu Shen, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of ECARX, framed the investment as a natural evolution of their partnership. "This strategic investment represents a natural and significant step forward in our evolving partnership with Lotus Tech, building upon the deep technical collaboration we already share," he commented. "Lotus is an iconic brand with strong global recognition, and I remain optimistic about its growth potential in international markets."

For Lotus, the strengthened alliance provides a critical technological backbone to support its ambitious transformation into a fully electric, high-performance lifestyle brand. The investment serves as a powerful vote of confidence in Lotus Tech's vision and strategy following its Nasdaq listing.

Mr. Qingfeng Feng, Chief Executive Officer of Lotus Tech, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the shared vision for innovation. "This investment strengthens our long-standing partnership with ECARX, a pivotal collaborator in our mission to redefine in-vehicle intelligence," he stated. "This strengthened partnership underscores the deepened global collaboration with ECARX and our shared unwavering commitment to accelerate innovation of next-generation intelligent cockpit ecosystems to deliver unparalleled AI-driven experiences."

The Technology at the Core: Pikes and Cloudpeak

The core of the collaboration revolves around the global deployment of ECARX's flagship products: the Pikes® computing platform and the Cloudpeak® cross-domain software stack. In modern automotive design, these components function as the vehicle's central nervous system and brain, managing everything from the infotainment display to critical driving functions.

The Pikes® platform represents ECARX's high-performance automotive central computer. It acts as the hardware foundation, providing the raw processing power necessary to handle the immense data streams generated by a modern intelligent vehicle—from sensor inputs for driver-assistance systems to rich, graphically intensive user interfaces. This is the hardware that will power the digital experience inside future Lotus models.

Complementing the hardware is the Cloudpeak® software platform. This cross-domain stack is the software layer that unifies various vehicle functions into a single, cohesive ecosystem. It allows for seamless integration of infotainment, navigation, vehicle settings, and connectivity. A key feature highlighted in the announcement is the platform's full integration with Google Automotive Services (GAS). This provides Lotus drivers with a native, best-in-class experience, including embedded Google Maps, Google Assistant for voice commands, and access to a wide array of applications through the Google Play Store, all without needing to connect a smartphone. For ECARX, successfully deploying this full-stack solution in a premium global brand like Lotus serves as a powerful proof point and accelerates its own global expansion.

A Shared Heritage and a Competitive Future

While the partnership connects a UK-based automotive icon with a global mobility tech firm, their paths are closely intertwined through a common link: Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. ECARX was co-founded by its Chairman and CEO Ziyu Shen and Eric Li (Li Shufu), who is also the founder and chairman of Geely. Geely, in turn, is the majority shareholder of Lotus Cars. This shared parentage creates a powerful synergy within a broader automotive ecosystem, transforming the partnership from a simple business deal into a strategically aligned maneuver.

This ecosystem approach allows for deeper integration and shared long-term goals, reducing friction and accelerating development cycles. It enables Lotus to leverage a dedicated technology partner that is aligned with its strategic direction, while ECARX gains a premier platform to showcase its most advanced technologies to a global, discerning customer base.

The investment comes at a critical time. The luxury EV market is a fierce battleground where brand heritage must be matched by cutting-edge technology. Competitors like Porsche, Tesla, and Lucid have made the in-car digital experience a central pillar of their value proposition. For Lotus to succeed in its transition, a responsive, intuitive, and feature-rich digital cockpit is not just a feature—it is a necessity. This deepened partnership with ECARX is a direct and decisive move to secure that competitive edge.

By combining Lotus's legendary expertise in vehicle dynamics and design with ECARX's full-stack digital solution, the alliance aims to create a vehicle that is not only thrilling to drive but also intelligent and seamlessly connected. As the industry continues its march toward the software-defined vehicle, this fusion of British performance engineering and global technology prowess positions both companies to not only compete but to lead the charge in defining the next-generation intelligent driving experience worldwide.